MEET GREG RIELS, SENIOR WARDEN
I am honored and humbled to be asked to serve as your Senior Warden. While no one, quite frankly, truly wants to be the act after Milo Burdette’s multiple years of parish leadership, I am so looking forward to joining Lisa McMinn, Junior Warden, in leading the Vestry, and us all supporting Channing in sharing the good news of Good Shepherd. I believe without a shadow of doubt that our mission and vision will continue to serve as a beacon of hope in Austin and beyond.
I am blessed to be married to Jessica. We have two daughters, Margaret and Bennett, who were both baptized at Good Shepherd. They are our everything. We came to love Good Shepherd in their infant years looking for a community of parents trying to figure it all out. Those early experiences inspired me to be confirmed at Good Shepherd, serve as a Eucharistic Minister, Hill volunteer, Finance Committee member, and as a member of the Vestry since 2018.
I run my own business having previously worked for various organizations in Washington, D.C., including a stint as senior aide on Capitol Hill, where Jessica and I met. I also served in the U.S. Navy as an F-14 pilot, flight instructor, Admiral’s aide and as a pilot for the Secretary of the Navy. Before kids, we spent an arduous year living in Naples, Italy, touring Europe and drinking wine, under the auspices of Navy duty. I retired from naval service as a Commander in 2016, with a full and abiding appreciation that the experiences (good, bad and ugly) of the last 21 years shaped and formed me as an Episcopalian - a work still in progress.
I am beyond thankful for this church and this community, so ably lead by Channing. I am indeed, honored to serve.
Meet the new Vestry members and warden here.